Daily Norseman
Well, we didn’t quit. That’s a good sign at least.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it. That was ugly, and I’m a bit deflated. You can take a headfirst dive into the pool of denial and blame the travel and its related fatigue; that’s fine. Not me. We have some serious issues on our hands.
Optimism about this season is still visible, but it’s becoming adept at blending in with its surroundings.
Snap Judgments:
KOC’s play calling has been…questionable. This is based solely on the initial game viewing, with no deeper data available, but the love of longer-developing routes is inexplicable. I don’t get it. With a decimated offensive line, you’d think our passing game would look more like Rodgers and company than the Joe Gibbs/Air Coryell. I’m giving it time, of course, as he’s earned the benefit of the doubt. Duh. But something has to give – and quick.
Things don’t seem to be coming as easily as they did in the previous three years. Corners and safeties appear to be on everything, even on receptions. The well-schemed, wide-open gainers that we’ve been accustomed to are few and far between. Everything is a slog. Have tendencies been uncovered? Ineffective adjustments? I don’t know.
Injuries are officially catastrophic. It’s starting to look like our planned starting five on the offensive line may not play a single snap together this season. Ryan Kelly’s 2025 campaign (if not career) may sadly be in jeopardy at this point. You cannot mess with concussions. He needs to do what’s best for his long-term health. I’m hoping for the absolute best for him.
Elsewhere, I have a bad feeling about the Brian O’Neill knee issue. I’d be shocked he’s not on the shelf for weeks (or worse). Initial reports indicate an MCL, with an MRI to follow. Vibes are not good.
With that, KAM will surely be working the phones. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a starter on the offensive line post-bye that isn’t currently on the roster. The only silver lining is that the implosion occurred before the trade deadline. Like the Cam Robinson deal last year, it’s only a matter of what draft capital we give up.
Not exactly breaking news, but it’s impossible to overstate how important Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel are to this defense. Dallas Turner looks to have taken some critical steps in development, but Van Ginkel’s anticipation and advantage in executing the coverage wrinkles Brian Flores loves.
Eric Wilson is solid, but no one is going to argue that he’s superior to Cashman, given his savvy as the director of Flores’s scheme. The three-game stretch he missed with turf toe last year saw the Vikings give up two of the three highest point totals of the season. Granted, they were against the Lions and Rams, but still.
Parity is real. You can’t lose this many starters and not suffer the consequences.
I’m officially done with Chris Kuper. There is a low bar of basic competence that...
